New school is real star say inspectors

A PRIMARY school which opened 18 months ago despite fierce opposition from local residents has been rated outstanding in its first Ofsted report.

The top grade is rarely awarded to new schools which do not have years of evidence to support their structures and policies.

But, following an inspection earlier this month, Croft Primary School’s inspectors praised the school across all four areas, the achievement of pupils, the quality of teaching, the behaviour and safety of pupils and the leadership and management of the school.

Inspectors said: “Through highly effective leadership and planning, this new school has got off to an exceptional start.

“The children in Reception make rapid gains in the areas of learning because of high quality teaching and support.

“Children at an early stage of learning English make exceptional progress in acquiring and using English.

“Pupils make outstanding progress in Year 1 and by the end of the year, attainment is high in reading, writing and mathematics.”

The report also said that attendance levels were higher than average, that children were extremely well behaved and that parents were very supportive of the school.

The report said: “Teachers establish very positive relationships with their pupils and expect them to do their best.

“The pupils respond very well to these high expectations and learn exceptionally well.

“Teachers and teaching assistants give good quality feedback to pupils so they know how well they are doing and what they need to do to improve.

“The marking of pupils’ work is detailed and helpful.”

The report offered only one improvement to the school which was to strengthen the role of new subject leaders so they are fully involved in observing learning and planning for future teaching developments.”

Nick Capstick, the executive headteacher at Croft and the CEO of the White Horse Federation, of which Croft Primary is a part, said it was an ideal Ofsted report.

He said: “I think there are three main reasons why The Croft had achieved this grading, which is almost unheard of for such a young school.

“The most important is the work of the fantastic team we have who work extremely hard.

“Secondly it is down to the White Horse Federation who has two schools with teaching school status, and The Croft were able to benefit from their support.

“Thirdly it is down to the White Horse Federation who wants to see The Croft do well, and offers support.

“Likewise Croft want to see other schools in the federation do well as well so it’s a great forum to feed back and develop.”

Croft headteacher Candida Hutchinson was also delighted.

She said: “The report recognises the determination and drive of our staff to enable all children to achieve success.

“It highlights how supportive our families are. It celebrates how we work well together within the White Horse Federation and governance.

“Most importantly, it clearly states how engaged our children are in their learning.”

Such fantastic news. My daughter starts in September and this is great way to begin the year. We did make a good choice! Well done Croft.

Such fantastic news. My daughter starts in September and this is great way to begin the year. We did make a good choice! Well done Croft.Geek girl

Such fantastic news. My daughter starts in September and this is great way to begin the year. We did make a good choice! Well done Croft.

Score: 14

Oldtownmum
8:02am Wed 25 Jun 14

Still won't stop the NIMBYs moaning, sadly.

Still won't stop the NIMBYs moaning, sadly.Oldtownmum

Still won't stop the NIMBYs moaning, sadly.

Score: 10

Ollie Dognacky
9:55am Wed 25 Jun 14

What a load of propaganda tosh 👎-297

What a load of propaganda tosh 👎-297Ollie Dognacky

What a load of propaganda tosh 👎-297

Score: -18

Chrisg46
11:49am Wed 25 Jun 14

Based on what? Are you saying that the report is not true?

Based on what? Are you saying that the report is not true?Chrisg46

Based on what? Are you saying that the report is not true?

Score: 8

Ringer
1:17pm Wed 25 Jun 14

Ollie Dognacky wrote…

What a load of propaganda tosh 👎-297

This is a very serious public allegation.

Do you have evidence to support your claim that Ofsted published such a report?

[quote][p][bold]Ollie Dognacky[/bold] wrote:
What a load of propaganda tosh 👎-297[/p][/quote]This is a very serious public allegation.
Do you have evidence to support your claim that Ofsted published such a report?Ringer

Ollie Dognacky wrote…

What a load of propaganda tosh 👎-297

This is a very serious public allegation.

Do you have evidence to support your claim that Ofsted published such a report?

Score: 0

Davey Gravey
2:12pm Wed 25 Jun 14

Oh no.The troll is back with his old log in.

Oh no.The troll is back with his old log in.Davey Gravey

Oh no.The troll is back with his old log in.

Score: -2

trolley dolley
2:25pm Wed 25 Jun 14

The Nimbys are too busy just now protesting about the Croft field.

Lets hope they are as successful as they were with the school.

The Nimbys are too busy just now protesting about the Croft field.
Lets hope they are as successful as they were with the school.trolley dolley

The Nimbys are too busy just now protesting about the Croft field.

Lets hope they are as successful as they were with the school.

Score: 1

Davey Gravey
2:35pm Wed 25 Jun 14

trolley dolley wrote…

The Nimbys are too busy just now protesting about the Croft field.

Lets hope they are as successful as they were with the school.

Should green spaces not be protected? Why should Croft field not be left alone?

[quote][p][bold]trolley dolley[/bold] wrote:
The Nimbys are too busy just now protesting about the Croft field.
Lets hope they are as successful as they were with the school.[/p][/quote]Should green spaces not be protected? Why should Croft field not be left alone?Davey Gravey

trolley dolley wrote…

The Nimbys are too busy just now protesting about the Croft field.

Lets hope they are as successful as they were with the school.

Should green spaces not be protected? Why should Croft field not be left alone?

Score: -3

Russell Holland
3:15pm Wed 25 Jun 14

If we had followed the advice of Jim Grant this school might not have been built in time http://www.northswin
donlabour.co.uk/swin
don/labour-leader-ca
lls-for-a-halt-to-cr
oft-school

If we had followed the advice of Jim Grant this school might not have been built in time http://www.northswin
donlabour.co.uk/swin
don/labour-leader-ca
lls-for-a-halt-to-cr
oft-schoolRussell Holland

If we had followed the advice of Jim Grant this school might not have been built in time http://www.northswin
donlabour.co.uk/swin
don/labour-leader-ca
lls-for-a-halt-to-cr
oft-school

Score: 1

Russell Holland
3:15pm Wed 25 Jun 14

If we had followed the advice of Jim Grant this school might not have been built in time http://www.northswin
donlabour.co.uk/swin
don/labour-leader-ca
lls-for-a-halt-to-cr
oft-school

If we had followed the advice of Jim Grant this school might not have been built in time http://www.northswin
donlabour.co.uk/swin
don/labour-leader-ca
lls-for-a-halt-to-cr
oft-schoolRussell Holland

If we had followed the advice of Jim Grant this school might not have been built in time http://www.northswin
donlabour.co.uk/swin
don/labour-leader-ca
lls-for-a-halt-to-cr
oft-school

Score: 0

benzss
4:23pm Wed 25 Jun 14

Ringer wrote…

Ollie Dognacky wrote…

What a load of propaganda tosh 👎-297

This is a very serious public allegation.

Do you have evidence to support your claim that Ofsted published such a report?

No, it's an opinion on the Internet.

[quote][p][bold]Ringer[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Ollie Dognacky[/bold] wrote:
What a load of propaganda tosh 👎-297[/p][/quote]This is a very serious public allegation.
Do you have evidence to support your claim that Ofsted published such a report?[/p][/quote]No, it's an opinion on the Internet.benzss

Ringer wrote…

Ollie Dognacky wrote…

What a load of propaganda tosh 👎-297

This is a very serious public allegation.

Do you have evidence to support your claim that Ofsted published such a report?

No, it's an opinion on the Internet.

Score: 0

New Balance
4:33pm Wed 25 Jun 14

Ollie Dognacky wrote…

What a load of propaganda tosh 👎-297

Very offensive to the staff all the children who go there!

[quote][p][bold]Ollie Dognacky[/bold] wrote:
What a load of propaganda tosh 👎-297[/p][/quote]Very offensive to the staff all the children who go there!New Balance

Ollie Dognacky wrote…

What a load of propaganda tosh 👎-297

Very offensive to the staff all the children who go there!

Score: 3

strattonwallflower
6:45pm Wed 25 Jun 14

2 of my grand children go to croft it is a very good school and the children are very happy there all the staff are very welcoming and any problems/concerns are sorted quickly

2 of my grand children go to croft it is a very good school and the children are very happy there all the staff are very welcoming and any problems/concerns are sorted quicklystrattonwallflower

2 of my grand children go to croft it is a very good school and the children are very happy there all the staff are very welcoming and any problems/concerns are sorted quickly

Ipsoregulated

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